Is it possible to beat the slot machines in a casino?

This is an extremely simple question for which there is only a complex answer. Persons who train themselves to track the cards that have been played and adjust their wagering and the play of their hands accordingly are termed "Card Counters" A VERY skilled, and VERY [well-financed] Card Counter has approximately a 1% advantage over the casino, depending on many factors, including: how many decks of cards are used, (and dealt), and the precise rules in play, etc. It is the expert's opinion that far in excess of 99.9 % of all individuals who attempt to "earn" profits from the casinos via Card Counting will fail. More than anything else, the "facts on the ground" indicate that Card Countingm has been greatly glamorized and fictionalized in books and cinema.